Quarterback Joe Gilliam Dies

N A S H V I L L E, Tenn., Dec. 26 -- Former Pittsburgh Steeler Joe Gilliam Jr., who was one of the first black quarterbacks to start an NFL game but fell into drug addiction and spent two years living under a bridge in a cardboard box, has died at 49.

Gilliam, who was in such desperate straits at one point that hepawned his two Super Bowl rings, had finally seemed to be gettinghis life back together when he died of an apparent heart attack onChristmas Day.

Earlier this year, he started a football camp for boys at hisalma mater, Tennessee State, and was counseling drug addicts andrenewing old relationships.

“Joe had some difficult times and everybody knows that,” saidDan Rooney, president of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Gilliam’s team inthe mid-1970s. He said that a players reunion earlier this year,Gilliam “was really upbeat and in great health, probably in bettershape than anyone.”

Gilliam was dead on arrival at Baptist Hospital late Monday,hospital spokeswoman Jessica Etz said. Etz said relatives believeGilliam suffered a heart attack.

Cause of Death Not Declared

An autopsy was completed today, but the Nashville medicalexaminer won’t declare a cause of death until toxicology testsresults are returned in about a month.

Gilliam’s career was marked by a series of highs and lows,including a starting role for the Steelers in 1974, six years afterMarlin Briscoe of the Denver Broncos became pro football’s firstblack starting quarterback.

Drug problems were partly to blame for Gilliam’s benching andthe end of his NFL career.

Gilliam talked about it during a reunion of former Steelersplayers for the final game at Three Rivers Stadium earlier thismonth, telling former teammates that his life was so tough at onepoint that he lived in a cardboard box under a bridge.

“I had it all and then it disappeared, and then my lifedisappeared and now, look, I’m back with my friends again,” hesaid.